Cyberani Partners with KPMG to Fortify Saudi Arabia’s Cybersecurity Future

Cyberani, the cybersecurity arm of Aramco Digital, has teamed up with KPMG Middle East in a partnership that was revealed during Black Hat 2025 and, honestly, it feels like one of those moments where Saudi Arabia is quietly but confidently stepping onto the world stage. The collaboration leans heavily into the country’s Vision 2030 push, with both sides aiming to sharpen national capabilities in cybersecurity—particularly in the more sensitive world of Operational Technology, which keeps industries like energy, aviation and water systems ticking without a hitch.

What struck me while going through the details is how ambitious the technical side of this partnership is. They’re planning to create advanced innovation hubs, including a Digital Twin and Simulation Lab. For anyone not familiar with the term, a digital twin is basically a high-tech replica of an industrial system, handy for testing threats without putting real infrastructure at risk. It’s the sort of thing that used to sound like sci‑fi when I first started writing for readers at Arageek, yet here we are. And believe it or not, these labs are expected to help spot cyber vulnerabilities before they ever materialise—a bit like catching a leak before the pipe bursts.

Both Cyberani and KPMG seem keen on making talent development just as central as the technology. Over the next three years, they want to train a hundred Saudi specialists in OT security. There’s also a dedicated initiative for women in the field, which I reckon is spot on, especially in sectors that traditionally felt closed off. On the flip side, a three‑year talent plan can be a bit of a faff to execute if not managed carefully, but the added international exchange programme should help keep the momentum. Saudi professionals will get the chance to spend time at KPMG’s global offices, picking up hands‑on experience and returning with insights that can be put straight into local industry.

The partnership will also roll out executive roundtables, industry forums and a national OT Security Conference. All of that is likely to turn Riyadh into a buzzing hub for global cybersecurity dialogue, at least if things go to plan. I still remember a small founder I met from Dammam telling me how access to such spaces used to feel miles away. Seeing the region pull in world-class gatherings makes me quite… well, chuffed to bits, even if the work ahead is hefty.

In their announcement, Tariq Albassam, Chief Strategy Officer at Cyberani by Aramco Digital, said the partnership aims to “create practical solutions, world-class labs, and development programs that empower Saudi talent,” adding that it’s as much about safeguarding critical systems today as it is about shaping a secure digital future. Meanwhile, Hossain Alshedoki, Partner and Global Head of OT and IoT at KPMG Middle East, described the collaboration as a bold step that blends national ambition with international know‑how, reflecting what Vision 2030 is meant to embody.

All in all, the move signals Saudi Arabia’s determination to become a leader in industrial and digital resilience. From where I’m sitting, it definately feels like another sign of how the Kingdom is rewriting its role in the global tech landscape, one partnership at a time.

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